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THE CITY OF THE SAINTS, 



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VIEWS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF PRINCIPAL POINTS OF INTEREST IN 

SAbT bAKE GlTY .^^ VICINITY; 



RIEF SKETCHES OF THE HISTORY AND RELIGION 
OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS. 



PUBLISHED BV 

GEO. Q. CANNON & SONS CO. 

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. 



yayyz 



CONTENTS. 



Plan oi- ihe Ciin' 

The Templk Block 

The Temple . . . . 

The Tabernacle 

The Great Organ 

The Assembly Hall 

Statue of Pres. Brigham Young 

The Tithing Office 

The Deseret News Office 

The Lion House and the Bee-hi 

House 

The View from Capipol Hill 

CiTV Cemeierv . . . . 

Fort Douglas 

Brigham Street 

Public Buildings 

The Board of Trade Building . 



6 The Deseret Museum . . .18 

8 The Utah Exposiiion Building 19 

8 The Cipv Hall and Fire Depart- 

10 ment i;i 

11 The New City and County Building 1!I 

12 Educational Instituitons . . 20 

13 Hotels 20 

14 Zinx's Co-operative Mercantile 

14 Institution . . . .20 
Pleasure Resorts ... 21 

15 Garfield Beach . . . .22 
1(1 Liberty Park .... 22 
17 Caldek's Park . . . .22 
17 History of ihe Latter-day Saints 23 

17 Religion of the Latter-day Sainis 44 

18 Partial List of Mormon Pup.lica- 

18 TIONS 07 



♦ THE GITY 9F THE SAINTS. 



fALT LAKE CITY, the metropolis of Utah Territory, is built at the foot of the 
Wasatch range of mountains, to the east of the valle\' of the Great Salt Lake. 
The country now known as Utah Territory was formerly designated on the map as 
a part of the Great American Desert. Previous to the year 1847 there was not 
even a town or village occupied by the white race within its borders. The site on 
which Utah's capital city is built was then a desolate waste, abounding only in 
sagebrush and alkaline swamps. 

On the 24th day of July, 1847, Brigham Young at the head of 143 Mormon pio- 
neers entered the valley through a gorge directly east of the city, now known as 
Emigration Canyon. This company of explorers camped upon the edge of a small 
creek which flowed from the mountains; and there they at once began to plow and 
plant the ground, it being decided that they should make this place their home. 
Four days after their arrival they also proceeded to lay out a city. 

This pioneer band was an advance company of the religious body of worshipers 
known as Latter-day Saints, or more commonly as Mormons. On account of per- 



6 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

sedition for their religious belief, the Latter-day Saints were compelled to abandon 
their homes in Illinois and being driven from the confines of civilization, they 
were now seeking a place of refuge in the unknown western wilds. 

PLAN OF THE CITY. 

In laying out the city of Great Salt Lake as it was first called, it was decided to 
divide it into square blocks of ten acres each, separated by streets eight rods wide 
running from north to south and from east to west. Twenty feet on each side of 
the streets was reserved as side walks for pedestrians, and the remainder of the 
space left for vehicles. All that part of the city which is on a level grade is 
platted in this manner, while the part situated on the hillsides is divided into smaller 
squares, or, in some places, irregular-shaped blocks to conform with the lay of the 
land. 

The square on which the Temple and Tabernacle are built was reserved for 
the purpose from the beginning, while the blocks surrounding it were divided into 
eight lots, of one and a quarter acres, and distributed one lot to each family for 
a home. The streets of the city are named in the following manner: The one 
running north and south on the east side of the Temple Block is called East Temple 
Street, or Main Street, it being the principal thoroughfare of the city. The streets 
east of this one and running parallel with it are numbered First East, Second East, 




THE SALT LAKE TEMPLE. 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 7 

and so on. The street on the south side of the Temple Square running east and 
west is named South Temple, and those streets running parallel with it are called 
First South, Second South, etc. The street on the north side of the block is North 
Temple, the next further north. First North, and so on. In the same manner the 
streets running north and south parallel with the west side of the Temple Block are 
West Temple, First West, Second West, etc. The circumference of the city at 
present is about sixteen miles. 

Salt Lake Cit)' is very rapidly assuming the appearance of a first-class city, with 
all the modern conveniences and improvements. It is provided with water-works, 
over eighty miles of pipes being laid to supply water to all parts of the city. The 
streets are lighted with electric lights; and gas and electricity are distributed to all 
parts of the city for house lighting. The central portion of the city is also laid 
with sewer-pipes. The principal streets and side-walks are paved, and electric 
cars run to all parts of the city, as well as out in the suburbs in every direction. 
Telephone communication is available in all parts of the city, and connections are 
made with leading towns of the territory. 

The altitude of Salt Lake City is 4,300 feet above sea level. The climate is very 
congenial. It is said to have the best combination of conditions favorable to health 
and happiness found in the world. While the summer months are quite warm, 
cool, pure breezes from the mountains modify the heat considerably, especially 



8 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

from sundown till sunrise, making it possible to sleep very comfortably. The 
winters are not severe, and the countr}- is entirely free from blizzards and cyclones. 

THE TEMPLE BLOCK 

is situated directly north of the business center of the city. It is surrounded by 
a wall 12 feet high, built of stone and adobe. This was erected nearly forty years 
ago, and now being somewhat worn and dull-hued does not appear attractive. It 
is anticipated that it will be replaced by a handsome iron fence when the work of 
laying off the grounds on the inside is completed. 

The most imposing building within the enclosure, and the one which attracts 
the most interest of any in the city is 

THE TEMPLE. 

Ground was broken for this structure February 14, 1853, and the corner stones 
were laid on April 6th of the same year. It is built of solid blocks of native granite, 
quarried in Little Cottonwood Canyon, about 20 miles from the city. The walls at 
the basement are 8 feet thick, but they taper to 6 feet at the top. The total length 
is 180 feet, and the width 120 feet. The height of the east center tower from the 
ground to the top of the ball is 210 feet. The statue is 12j4 feet, thus the total 
height is 222 j^ feet. The inscription on the east end reads: 




THE TABERNACLE. 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 9 

HOLINESS TO THE LORD, 

THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, 

BUILT BY THE 

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. 

COMMENCED APRIL, 1853, COMPLETED, APRIL, 1893. 

For a good many years all the rock that was used in the construction was 
hauled by ox teams, which operation was a ver}' tedious and slow one. Since rail- 
road communication has been established between the quarry and the block, the 
work has progressed much faster. 

At each end of the building are three towers, (the center ones being higher than 
the others) which rise and form the spires. These spires terminate with orna- 
mental finials made of hammered copper and covered with gold leaf. On each of 
these finials are six incandescent lights of 100 candle power each. The center tower 
on the east is surmounted by a statue of an angel blowing a trumpet. This statue 
is made of hammered copper and is covered with gold leaf. It is 12 J4 feet in 
height. A large assembly room is on the top floor of the building. In the four 
corner towers are circular stairways with steps of solid stone. These stairways 
have landings at various floors. The building when finished will be provided with 
two elevators. 

The building is so arranged that it can be heated by either steam or hot water. 



10 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

and will have a complete electric lighting plant, and this plant will furnish elec- 
tricity for running fans for ventilation. 

THE TABERNACLE 
is situated directly west of the Temple on the same square. It is an oval-shaped 
building, with an arched roof, resembling the back of a tortoise. The roof rests upon 
44 sandstone pillars, which surround the outside wall of the building, and has no 
central supports, being constructed after the style of a suspension bridge. It is 
composed of wooden trusses, the outer side being covered with metal and the ceil- 
ing made of lath and plaster. The bulling is 250 feet long, 150 feet wide and 80 
feet high. It has twenty double doors, 9 feet in width, which open outward, thus 
enabling the vast congregation which it is capable of containing to get out of the 
building in a very few moments. Above each door and continuing on the same 
line along each side of the building are large windows, which furnish light and 
ventilation. In the roof, also, there are two large windows, which can be opened 
for ventilation. About 8,000 persons can be comfortably seated within the walls, 
but very frequently greater nuijibers are crowded in. The Tabernacle is remark- 
able for its acoustic properties. A person speaking in an ordinary tone of voice 
can be heard distinctly in all parts of the hall. When no congregation is present 
a low whisper or the dropping of a pin in one end of the building can be heard 
clearly at the opposite end 240 feet distant. 




INTEEIOE OF THE TABERNACLE. 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 11 

THE GREAT ORGAN, 

noted as one of the largest and finest toned in America, is situated in the west end 
of the Tabernacle. It is 30x33 feet in width and length, and 48 feet high. It is 
built of native timber, and constructed by local artisans. Mr. Joseph Ridges, of 
Salt Lake City, superintended its erection. Afterwards improvements were made 
to it by N. Johnson, Esq., another Utah artisan. The organ contains 67 stops, 3 
key boards and 2,648 pipes, ranging in length from ^/^ of an inch to 32 feet. 
Water power is used to supply' the bellows with air. In front and on each side of 
the organ are seats for members of the choir, which numbers between four and five 
hundred singers. Prof. Evan Stephens is the choir leader, and Prof. Joseph J. 
Daynes is the organist. A juvenile choir of 1,000 voices occasionally furnish the 
music for divine service. To hear either choir, accompanied by the Grand Organ 
is a very enjoyable treat. Services are held in the Tabernacle every Sunday after- 
noon at two o'clock. Grand concerts are sometimes given in this great auditorium 
and such famous musicians as Patti, Thursby, Whitney, Theodore Thomas and 
Gilmore have appeared in them. 

The building of this edifice, which was designed after a plan suggested by 
Brigham Young, was commenced in April, 1865, and completed in 1867. Since 
then it has undergone some changes and improvements, among which are the heat- 
ing of it by steam and furnishing it with gas and electric lighting. The grounds 



12 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

about the building are beautiful!}' laid out in flower beds, lawns, shade trees, walks 
and fountains. 

THE ASSEMBLY HALL 

is located in the south-west corner of the Temple Block. It is 120 feet long by 
68 feet wide, and 130 feet to the top of the central tower. Obed Taylor, Esq., 
was the architect for the building. The walls are of granite — the same kind as 
that used for the Temple. The interior is arranged similar to that of the Taber- 
nacle with seats facing the west, in which end are situated the pulpits, the organ 
and the seats for the choristers. It also has a gallery running along the north, east 
and south sides of the interior. The ceiling is decorated with paintings illustratS 
ing temples built by the Latter-day Saints and incidents connected with the history 
of the people. 

The Assembly Hall is heated with steam and lighted with gas. It is used for 
similar purposes as is the Tabernacle. Religious meetings not so numerously 
attended as those of the Tabernacle are usually held in this building; and on 
occasions of general conferences of the Mormon Church, which are held in April 
and October of each year, both buildings are open for service, as the Tabernacle 
is not capable of accommodating all who desire to attend. The Assembly Hall was 
completed in 1880, and cost §90,000. 




THE ASSEMBLY HALL. 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 13 

Arrangements are now being made to have erected on the south-east corner of 
the Temple Block, a 

STATUE OF PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG. 

Besides the places of worship located on the Temple square, there is a Latter-day 
Saint meeting house in each of the twenty-three wards of the city. In these latter 
places Sabbath schools are held Sunday mornings at 10 o'clock, and meetings in 
the evenings. The Sabbath schools and meetings both in the wards and at the 
Tabernacle are open to the public, and visitors are always made welcome. 

All the leading religious denominations are well represented in Salt Lake City, 
and most of them have suitable chapels and cathedrals of their own. 

The First Baptist Church is situated on the corner of Second West and 
Second South Streets. 

The Episcop.-vl C--\thedrai, on First South, between Second and third East 
Streets. 

The Hebrew Temple B'nai Israel is on Fourth East between Second and 
Third South Streets. 

The Swedish Lutheran Church is on the north-west corner of Fourth 
East and Second South Streets. 

The MErnoDiST Episcopal Church is situated on Third South, between 
East Temple and First East Streets. 



14 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

The Presbyterian Church is on the corner of Second East and Second 
South Streets. 

The Catholic Church (Saint Mary's Cathedral), is on Second East between 
South Temple and First South Streets. 

Opposite the Temple on the east side is 

THE TITHING OFFICE, 

a long, one-story and basement building, which was erected many years ago. 
The Presiding Bishop of the Mormon Church has an office here, and adjoining it 
are rooms and grounds for receiving, storing and disposing of goods paid in as 
tithing. The ancient Israelitish practice of paying one-tenth of their income to 
the Lord is adhered to by the Latter-day Saints. In case a man's income consists 
of the increase of his flocks or herds or the products of his farm, or articles he 
manufactures, it is optional with him to pay his tithing in cash or in the articles 
of which his income consists. That which is paid as tithing is used for several 
purposes: to build temples, or other places of worship; to support those whose 
time is devoted entirely to matters pertaining to the Church; to help the poor, 
and for other charitable objects. 

THE DESERET NEWS OFFICE 
adjoins the Tithing Office on the south, being situated on the corner of South and 




lUL LIUN liUL^I VMJ UILLIl UI\I 11UL'5L 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 15 

East Temple Streets. The Deseret News is the oldest newspaper published west 
of the Missouri River, having been established in 1850. A daily, semi-weekly and 
weekly edition of the paper is issued. It is the ofificial organ of the Latter-day 
Saints. East of the News Office, near the south-east corner of the same block, 
are what are known as 

THE LION HOUSE AND THE BEE-HIVE HOUSE. 
both former residences of Brigham Young. The first-mentioned building received 
its name from the sculptured figure of a crouching lion being placed over the front 
door as an ornament. The other house is surmounted with a carved bee-hive, the 
emblem of Utah, and from this receives its name. When these structures were 
erected they were considered quite pretentious buildings, but the many years that 
have since elapsed have brought about so many improvements of a better class that 
they now appear 'commonplace, and are merely of historic interest. They are still 
used as dwelling houses. Between the Lion House and the Bee-Hive House are 
the offices of the Presidency of the Mormon Church. Across the street south are 
the Gardo House and the office of the Church historian, the former a palatial 
building on the corner, and the latter a small adobe building to the west of it. 
Directly east of the Bee-Hive House is an old landmark known as the Eagle Gate, 
so named on account of its being surmounted by a carved eagle with spreading 
wings. Formerly it was the entrance to a toll road running up City Creek Canyon, 



16 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

the canyon from which the chief water supply for the city is obtained. As you 
enter this gate the first house to the riglit is Brigham Young's school hou^e. in 
which a private school for his children was once held. The first street to the 
right as you proceed northward leads up a hill, near the summit of which is 
Brigham Young's grave in an enclosure on the south side of the road. Until 
wtihin late years it was the northern terminus of State Street (First East Street) 
or the State Road, a highwa}' which runs sixteen miles to the south in a straight 
line. Recently the street has been graded the length of three blocks north where 
it strikes the south side of the Capitol Grounds, on Capitol Hill. It is anticipated 
that in the near future a handsome structure will be erected on Capitol Grounds 
for the use of the Territorial Legislature and for Territorial and Government 
offices. 

THE VIEW FROM CAPITOL HILL. 
From Capitol Hill a very beautiful view is to be had. At the beholder's feet 
lies the cit}^ with its broad streets, the side walks of which are lined with shade 
trees and small streams of clear water, and its many gardens and fruit trees look- 
ing like an immense park. To the south and south-west are innumerable farms 
which compose the suburbs of the charming city. To the west, and as far as the 
eye can see to the north-west stretches the Great Salt Lake, with its several moun- 
tainous islands. Look in any direction and visions of exquisite grandeur meet the 







FORT DOUGLAS. 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 17 

ej-e. At the hour of sunset the sublimit)- of the scene is heightened considerably. 
East of Capitol Hill across Cit^- Creek, the stream which supplies the city with 
water, is Anderson's Tower, built as an observatory from which to view the sur- 
rounding country. A little over half a mile east of this latter point is the 

CITY CEMETERY. 

It is but a very short time since water was obtained for this burying ground, 
but of late many improvements have been made here, and a visit to the city of the 
dead will well repay one for the time thus spent. Adjoining the City Cemetery 
are the Hebrew and Catholic Cemeteries, and a short distance to the south-east 
is Mount Olivet Cemetery. Directly east of the latter is 

FORT DOUGLAS, 
a military post, established in 1862. It is on an eminence, and commands a fine 
view of the valley. The grounds surrounding the officers' quarters are nicely laid 
out in flowers, shrubbery, lawns and trees, and present a very attractive appear- 
ance. Military drill is conducted at the Fort daily. Returning from the Fort by 
way of South Temple or 

BRIGHAM STREET, 
one can take a look at some few of Salt Lake's fine residences, which, however, 



18 THE CITY OF THE SAIXTS. 

are not confined to this street alone, as there are many others equally as handsome 
to be seen in other directions. 

PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 
Among the public buildings of Salt Lake might be mentioned that of the Utah 
University, situated on First North and Second West Streets. The Utah 
University is the leading educational institution of the Territory. In it are 
taught the higher as well as the common branches of learning. It is a public 
school, and the tuition is free to all residents of the Territory. Connected with 
the University is the Deaf Mute Institute, which is conducted in a very com- 
modious building situated on the same square. The University Museum, in the 
University building, contains specimens of Utah minerals, flowers and animals, 
and a great variety of curiosities. 

THE BOARD OF TRADE BUILDING, 
the headquarters of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, also contains 
a great variety of specimens of Utah products. Persons desiring information re- 
garding the Territory and its resources can obtain it by writing to the secretary of 
the Chamber of Commerce. 

THE DESERET MUSEUM. 
situated in the Latter-day Saints College building, on First Forth and between 




SI^UN STREET, LOOKING SOUTH. 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 19 

First and Second West Streets, is well worth a visit. Besides samples of Utah 
productions its cabinets contain rare curiosities from all parts of the world. 
Admission to the museum is free. 

THE UTAH EXPOSITION BUILDING 
occupies the square between Fifth and Sixth South Streets, and east of Sixth East. 
Here is held in October the annual Territorial fair, at which are exhibited all kinds 
of home productions, including works of art, manufactured goods, fruits, vege- 
tables, horses, cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, etc. The Deseret Agricultural and 
Manufacturing Society conduct these exhibitions, and award medals, diplomas 
and prizes for the finest specimens in the various classes of exhibits. 

THE CITY HALL AND FIRE DEPARTMENT 

are on First South, a short distance east of First East Street. Here are the various 
offices of the municipal authorities, and the head-quarters of the Salt Lake Fire 
Brigade. Branch stations of the Fire Department are situated in other parts of 
the town. The Fire Department is well equipped with modern appliances for ex- 
tinguishing fires with despatch. 

THE NEW CITY AND COUNTY BUILDING, 

now in course of erection, will be one of the finest structures in the Territory when 



20 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

completed. It is being built on Washington Square, on the east side of State 
Street, between Fourth and Fifth South. When finished it will be occupied by 
the Cit}^ and County officers, in place of the buildings they now occupy — the City 
Hall and County Court House, both of which are old buildings, and inadequate to 
the present needs of the rapidl\' growing City and Count)-. 
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. 

Aside from the Utah University, Salt Lake has thirty public free schools in 
the twenty-three wards of the city, all under the control of the city School Board. 
There are also more than a dozen private schools in the city. 
HOTELS. 

The leading first class hotels of the city are: 

The Templeton, opposite the south-east corner of the Temple Block. 

The Knutsford, corner of Third South and State Streets. 

The Cullen, on Second South just west of Main. 

The MoRG.-iN, on First South, between West Temple and First West. 

The W.alker, on Main Street, between Second and Third South. 

The leading mercantile house of the city is 

ZION'S CO-OPERATIVE MERCANTILE INSTITUTION, 
the offices and salesrooms of which are situated a few doors south of the Hotel 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 21 

Templeton. Z. C. M. I., as its title is abbreviated, carries about SI, 250, 000 
worth of stock. It has branch houses in various parts of the Territory. Connected 
with this immense establishment is a shoe factory which joins it on the north and 
extends to the front of South Temple Street. The main building, exclusive of the 
factory is 100x300 feet, three stories in height, with basement, and an addition 
60x100 feet one story high recently added. This establishment as its name implies, 
is conducted on a co-operative plan, the stock of which is held by a large number 
of shareholders. It was projected in 1868. 

There are in the city quite a number of fine business blocks, prominent 
among which are the Constitution Building, opposite Zion's Co-operative Mercan- 
tile Institution: the McCornick Bank Building, on the corner of Main and 
First South Streets; on the corner of Second South and West Temple Streets 
the Dooley Building and Post Office; the Commercial Bank Building, on the 
corner of Commercial and Second South Streets. 

PLEASURE RESORTS. 

On the corner of State and First South Streets is situated the Salt Lake 
Theatre, one of the best appointed and elegantly furnished temples of the drama 
to be found in the West. It was erected in 1862. Previous to that time the build- 
ing known as the Social Hall, situated a short distance north of the Theatre was 
used for giving musical and dramatical entertainments. 



22 THE C/TY OF THE SAINTS. 

GARFIELD BEACH. 

is on the shore of the Great Salt Lake, about eighteen miles west of the city. In 
the Slimmer time this is the most popular pleasure resort in the Territory, indeed 
its fame is world-wide. As many as ten thousand people have been there during 
one day; and in one season several hundred thousand persons visit the beach. 
The bathing here is unequaled anywhere. The water holds so much salt in 
solution that a person can float on its surface like a cork. The bath is also con- 
sidered ver)' healthful. The U. P. Railway runs several trains to the lake daily 
during the warm season. Other resorts on the lake shore are being fitted up, and 
otlier railroads are being built from the city to these resorts. 

LIBERTY PARK 

is within the city limits, towards the south-east corner of the town. It contains 
110 acres of ground laid off in shade trees, grass plats, etc., surrounded by a car- 
riage drive. It is free to the public. 

CALDER'S PARK 

is a short distance south of the city, and is reached b\- electric cars. It is a beauti- 
ful. shad\- retreat, in the center of which is a lake of spring water. Boating, danc- 
ing and picnicking are the amusements carried on here. 







nkMJd 




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i-JiLlCAN bAV, UUNSISON ISLAND, GllEAl »\I 1 L\kL Kuached via the Union I'acil 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 23 

HISTORY OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS. 

The Latter-da)' Saints, or Mormons, as they are frequently but erroneously 
called, are a religious, worshiping communitj', principally located in Utah, 
and adjoining States and Territories whose collective title is the Church of Jesus 
Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

In giving a brief review of the history of this people, it ma)' be as well to 
commence with the following sketch written by Joseph Smith, the man, who, 
under God, was the founder of the Church. Being requested by the editor of 
the Chicago Democrat, in 1842, to furnish a sketch of the "rise, progress, per- 
secution and faith of the Saints," he wrote as follows: 

"I was born in the town of Sharon, Windsor County, Vermont, on the 2:!rd 
of December, A. D. 1805. When ten years old. my parents removed to 
Palmyra, New York, where we resided about four years, and from thence we 
removed to the town of Manchester. 

"My father was a farmer and taught me the art of husbandry. When about 
fourteen years of age, I began to reflect upon the importance of being prepared 
for a future state, and upon enquiring upon the plan of salvation, I found that 
there was a great clash in religious sentiment; if I went to one society, they 
referred me to one plan, and another to another, each one pointing to his own 
particular creed as the sitmmum bonuiii of perfection. Considering that all could 



24 THE CITY OF THE SAE.XTS. 

not be right, and that God could not be the author of so much confusion, I 
determined to investigate the subject more fully, believing that if God had a 
church it would not be split up into factions, and that if He taught one society 
to worship one way, and administer in one set of ordinances, He would not 
teach another principles which were diametrically opposed. Believing the word 
of God, I had confidence in the declaration of James, 'If any man lack wisdom, 
let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it 
shall be given him.' I retired to a secret place in a grove and began to call 
upon the Lord. While fervently engaged in supplication, my mind was taken 
away from the objects with which I was surrounded, and I was enwrapped in a 
heavenly vision, and saw two glorious personages, who exactly resembled each 
other in features and likeness, surrounded with a brilliant light, which eclipsed 
the sun at noonday. They told me that all religious denominations were 
believing in incorrect doctrines, and that none of them was acknowledged of 
God as His church and kingdom. And I was expressly commanded to 'go not 
after them;' at the same time receiving a promise that the fullness of the gospel 
should at some future time be made known unto me. 

"On the evening of the 21st of September, A. D. 1823, while I was praying 
unto God, and endeavoring to exercise faith in the precious promises of scrip- 
ture, on a sudden, a light like that of day, only of a far purer and more 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 25 

glorious appearance and brightness, burst into the room; indeed the first sight 
was as though the house was filled with consuming fire. The appearance pro- 
duced a shock that affected the whole body. In a moment a personage stood 
before me surrounded with a glory yet greater than that with which I was already 
surrounded. This messenger proclaimed himself to be an angel of God sent to 
bring the joyful tidings that the covenant which God made with ancient Israel 
was at hand to be fulfilled, that the preparatory work for the second coming of 
the Messiah was speedily to commence; that the time was at hand for the 
gospel, in all its fullness, to be preached in power unto all nations, that a 
people might be prepared for the millennial reign. 

" I was informed that I was chosen to be an instrument in the hands of God 
to bring about some of His purposes in this glorious dispensation. 

"I was also informed concerning the aboriginal inhabitants of this country, 
and shown who they were, and from whence they came; a brief sketch of their 
origin, progress, civilization, laws, governments, of their righteousness and 
iniquity, and the blessings of God being finally withdrawn from them as a 
people was made known unto me. I was also told where there were deposited 
some plates, on which were engraven an abridgment of the records of the 
ancient prophets that had existed on this continent. The angel appeared to me 
three times the same night, and unfolded the same things. After having received 



2(; THE CITY OF THE SA/.VTS. 

many visits from the angels of God, unfolding the majesty and glory of the events 
that should transpire in the last days, on the morning of the 22nd of Septem- 
ber, A. D. 1827, the angel of the Lord delivered the records into my hands. 

"These records were engraven on plates which had the appearance of gold. 
Each plate was six inches wide and eight inches long, and not quite so thick as 
common tin. They were filled with engravings, in Egyptian characters, and 
bound together in a volume, as the leaves of a book, with three rings running 
through the whole. The volume was something near six inches in thickness, a 
part of which was sealed. The characters on the unsealed part were small and 
beautifully engraved. The whole book exhibited many marks of antiquity in its 
construction, and much skill in the art of engraving. With the records was 
found a curious instrument, which the ancients called 'Urim and Thummim,' 
which consisted of two transparent stones set in the rim of a bow fastened to a 
breastplate. 

"Through the medium of the l-rim and Thummim I translated the record, 
by the gift and power of God. 

"In this important and interesting book the history of ancient America is 
unfolded, from its first settlement by a colony that came from the tower of Babel 
at the confusion of languages, to the beginning of the fifth century of the Chris- 
tian era. We are informed by these records that America in ancient times had 



THE C/TY OF THE SJ/NTS. 27 

been inhabited by two distinct races of people. The first were called Jaredites, 
and came directly from the tower of Babel. The second race came directly 
from the city of Jerusalem, about six hundred years before Christ. They were 
principally Israelites, of the descendants of Joseph. The Jaredites were 
destroyed about the time that the Israelites came from Jerusalem, who succeeded 
them in the inheritance of the country. The principal nation of the second 
race fell in battle towards the close of the fourth century. The remnant are the 
Indians that now inhabit this country. This book also tells us that our Savior 
made His appearance upon this continent after His resurrection, that He 
planted the gospel here in all its fullness, and richness, and power, and blessing; 
that they had apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers and evangelists; the same 
order, the same Priesthood, the same ordinances, gifts, powers and blessings as 
were enjoyed on the eastern continent; that the people were cut off in conse- 
quence of their transgressions; that the last of their prophets who existed 
among them was commanded to write an abridgment of their prophecies, his- 
tory, etc., and to hide it up in the earth, and that it should come forth and be 
united with the Bible for the accomplishment of the purposes of God in the last 
days. For a more particular account I would refer to the Book of Mormon. 

"As soon as the news of this discovery was made known, false reports, mis- 
representations and slander flew, as on the wings of the wind, in every direction; 



2S THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

the house was frequently beset by mobs and evil designing persons. Several 
times I was shot at, and very narrowl}' escaped, and every device was made use 
of to get the plates away from me, but the pow-er and blessing of God attended 
me, and several began to believe my testimony. 

"On the 6th of April, 1830, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 
was organized in the town of Fayette, Seneca County, State of New York. 
Some few were called and ordained by the spirit of revelation and prophecy, 
and began to preach as the Spirit gave them utterance, and, though weak, they 
were strengthened b}' the power of God, and many were brought to repentance, 
were immersed in the water, and were filled with the Holy Ghost by the laying 
on of hands. Thej' saw visions and prophesied, devils were cast out, and the 
sick healed by the laying on of hands. From that time the work rolled forth 
with astonishing rapidity, and churches were soon formed in the States of New 
York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri; in the last-named 
State a considerable settlement was formed in Jackson County; numbers joined 
the Church and we were increasing rapidly; we made large purchases of land, 
our farms teemed with plenty, and peace and happiness were enjoyed in our 
domestic circles and throughout our neighborhoods; but as we could not asso- 
ciate with our neighbors — who were, many of them, the basest of men, and had 
fled from the face of civilized society to the frontier country to escape the hand of 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 2VI 

justice — in their midnight revels, in their Sabbath breaking, horse racing and 
gambling, they commenced at first to ridicule, then to persecute, and, finally, 
an organized mob assembled and burned our houses, tarred and feathered, and 
whipped many of our brethren, and finally drove- them from their habitations, 
who, houseless and homeless, contrary to law, justice and humanity, had to 
wander on the bleak prairies till the children left the tracks of their blood on the 
prairie. This took place in the month of November, and they had no other 
covering but the canopy of heaven, in this inclement season of the year; this 
proceeding was winked at by the government, and although we had warrantee 
deeds for our land, and had violated no law, we could obtain no redress. 

"Many of our brethren removed to Clay, where they continued until 1836, 
three years; there was no violence offered, but there were threatenings of vio- 
lence. But in the summer of 1836, these threatenings began to assume a more 
serious form; from threats public meetings were called, resolutions were passed, 
vengeance and destruction were threatened, and affairs again assumed a fearful 
attitude. Jackson County was a sufficient precedent, and as the authorities in 
that county did not interfere, the}' boasted that they would not in this, which, 
on application to the authorities, we found to be too true, and after much 
violence, privation and loss of property, we were again driven from our homes. 



:!u TffF. crrv of the saints. 

"We next settled in Caldwell and Daviess Counties, where we made large 
and extensive settlements, thinking to free ourselves from the power of oppres- 
sion by settling in new counties, with very few inhabitants in them, but here 
we were not allowed to live in peace, for in 1838 we were again attacked by 
mobs; an exterminating order was issued by Governor Boggs, and under the 
sanction of law, an organized banditti ranged through the country, robbed us of 
our cattle, sheep, horses, hogs, etc. Many of our people were murdered in cold 
blood, the chastity of our people was violated, and we were forced to sign away 
our property at the point of the sword; and after enduring every indignity that 
could be heaped upon us by an inhuman, ungodly band of marauders, from 
twelve to fifteen thousand souls, men, women and children, were driven from their 
own firesides, and from lands that they had warrantee deeds of, houseless, 
friendless, and homeless (in the depth of winter), to wander, as exiles on the 
earth, or to seek an asylum in a more genial clime and among a less barbarous 
people. Many sickened and died in consequence of the cold and hardships they 
had to endure; many wives were left widows, and children orphans, and destitute. 

"In the situation before alluded to, we arrived in the State of Illinois in 
1839, where we found a hospitable people and a friendly home; a people who 
were willing to be governed by the principles of law and humanity." * * * 



THE CITY OF THE SA/.XTS ?,\ 

The persecution, suffering and slaughter to which the Saints had been subjected 
during the twelve years then past of their existence as a Church, are scarcely 
more than hinted at in the foregoing sketch. The spirit of bitter opposition 
which was aroused among Joseph Smith's acquaintances as soon as he made 
known that he had been visited by heavenly beings followed him unrelentingly 
throughout his life. No less than thirty-nine times was he arrested and placed 
upon trial on various charges made by his enemies, and yet in no instance was 
he proved guilty of any crime. Nor did the persecutions of him and the Saints 
cease after they had fled to and found temporary refuge in Illinois. In poverty 
and suffering they located principally in Hancock County of that State. By their 
energy and perseverance they built up a prosperous city called Nauvoo, beauti- 
fully situated in a bend of the Mississippi River. Their numbers rapidly 
increased; the work of proselyting was carried on vigorously; their missionaries 
e.xtended their labors to Europe, and thousands there joined their ranks and 
flocked to Nauvoo. The city was incorporated, with a liberal and comprehen- 
sive charter, by act of the State legislature; the militia was organized, also 
under charter of the legislature, as the "Nauvoo Legion," with Joseph Smith 
as lieutenant-general, and in time it became a finely disciplined body of troops, 
about five thousand strong. Many beautiful and substantial buildings were 
commenced, the crowning one of which was a magnificent temple, in which to 



H2 THF. CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

perform certain religious rites of the Church. But the demon persecution still 
followed the Saints. Their old Missouri enemies exerted an influence against them 
in Illinois and the spirit of bloodshed was soon as rife in that State as it had 
been in Missouri. 

The turf had hardly time to form over the graves of the victims of Missouri 
vindictiveness before the leaders ot the Church, Joseph and Hyrum Smith, were 
assassinated in Carthage jail, while in the hands of the ofScers of the law, and 
under the pledged protection of Thomas Ford, the Governor of Illinois. 

As there was no cause of legal action against them, a mob of State troops 
were permitted, by the passive treachery of the State executive, to answer the 
ends of premeditated violence. This occurred on the 27th of June, 1844, less 
than six years after the expulsion from Missouri. 

Thus died by the hands of assassins the most remarkable man of the age — a 
martyr to the principles of salvation which he established upon the earth! 

After the death of the Prophet, the leadership of the Church devolved upon 
the Apostles, with Brigham Young as their President. The work on the temple 
was continued and vigorously pushed. The population of Nauvoo rapidly 
increased, and the number of good dwelling houses and public buildings was 
greatly augmented. The land in the surrounding country, through the indomit- 
able energy and untiring industry of the Saints, produced in abundance the 



THE CfTY OF THE SAIXTS. 33 

means of subsistence. All this did not suit the enemies of the Saints, who 
were eager for spoil, and had hoped to see the people abandon their property as 
they had done in Missouri, and flee for their lives. And that they might be 
compelled to do so, the most fiendish plots were laid and barbarous means 
adopted to blacken the character of the Saints and make them appear abomin- 
able in the eyes of the public. Houses were burned, stock run off, and various 
other atrocities committed by the mobocrats, in the outlying and thinly-settled 
districts of the county, and reports circulated far and wide that the Mormons 
were the guilty parties. Public indignation was soon aroused, and people on 
every hand were ready to wreak vengeance on the Mormons, without stopping 
to investigate the stories. The Saints were in reality the sufferers; theirs were 
the houses burned, and the animals killed or stolen, and every day found them 
fleeing to Nauvoo for protection. Appeals to the Governor were vain; the 
State troops stationed in the county were no protection; attempts of the Saints 
to get the truth before the public were useless, as the thousand-tongued lies 
traveled so much faster. 

Left defenseless in the hands of their enemies, the treachery that had 
brought the Prophet and Patriarch of the Church into the power of their assas- 
sins followed up the people. Nauvoo itself was repeatedly threatened, and the 
citizens were almost worn out with standing guard at night for its protection. 



:U THE CITY OF THE SAIXTS. 

Hoping to secure immunity from persecution, the Saints €nally agreed with 
the mob to leave the State in the early spring, the mob on their part promising 
to allow them to remain until that time in peace and give them a chance to 
dispose of their property. 

The mob, however, became reckless and impatient, and anxious to drive out 
and despoil the Saints. The leaders of the people saw that their removal could 
not safely be deferred until spring, and so captains of companies were desig- 
nated, and those who could get ready were organized for traveling. 

The fleeing Saints began crossing the Mississippi River into Iowa on the 4th 
of February, 1846. 

As the Saints crossed the Mississippi River they formed a camp on Sugar 
Creek, nine miles beyond, and every day added many new arrivals from Nauvoo. 
They left the city about as fast as they could be ferried across the river. 

On the 25th of February, the companies began to remove westward from 
Sugar Creek. The remainder of the winter and the early spring were occupied 
in slow and painful traveling across Iowa, to the Pottowatomie Indian lands, on 
the Missouri River. 

When it would seem as though the struggling Saints had all they could do, 
to contend for existence with their untoward surroundings. Captain James Allen 



THE C/TV OF THE SAIXTS. 85 

of the U. S. army, arrived in their camps, with a demand from the general 
government for a battalion of volunteers to serve in the Mexican war. 

That this was not an act of necessity on the part of the government is evi- 
dent from the prosperous condition of the nation at that time, and from an 
assertion made by Captain Allen publicly that there were hundreds of thousands 
of volunteers ready in the States. 

Husbands parted with wives, fathers with children, and brothers with sis- 
ters, in camps by the wayside, where tents and wagon covers partly sheltered 
them from the elements. The battalion reached Fort Leavenworth, preparatory 
to its march across the continent, on the first day of August. It numbered 
about hve hundred and forty men. 

True to the self-sacrificing policy pursued by the Saints in their previous 
migrations, of the better able helping the poor, those who had reached Western 
Iowa made constant efforts to assist their less fortunate brethren who remained 
at Nauvoo to follow them. 

On account of the better circumstances of the people, the loss of property 
was greater in the Nauvoo than in the Missouri persecutions. While the loss of 
life by direct violence was perhaps less, the subsequent loss was great, on 
account of the long period of destitution and hardship occupied in journeying to 
the only shelter left them — the mountain deserts. 



36 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

One thousand lives were probably sacrificed in the Nauvoo exodus and in 
the journey to the Rocky Mountains. The bones of the Mormon dead are 
scattered along from the Mississippi River to the shore of the Great Salt Lake, 
and scarcely a monument is now left to relate its sad tale ol bereavement or tell 
the name of the departed. 

The culmination of the Nauvoo exodus was designed by the Church authori- 
ties, from the beginning, to be the colonization of some remote and unoccupied 
portion of the United States, where no white men would have a priority of 
right. No sacrifice of wealth or comfort was considered too great to get beyond 
the reach of mobs and persecution. This object was never lost sight of, either 
by the leaders of the Church or the people who composed it. 

Early in the year 1847, captains were appointed to organize and lead 
companies to the Rocky Mountains. In the spring President Brigham Young 
started west with one hundred and forty-three pioneers, in search of a suitable place 
to permanently locate the camps of the latter-day Israel. ■ No one of the compan}' 
knew anything of the country over which they expected to travel. 

They were led by the inspiration of the Almighty to Great Salt Lake Valley, 
where they arrived on the 24th of July. They made a new road for six hundred 
and fifty miles, and followed a trappers' trail for nearly four hundred miles. 

With about four hundred Saints, Salt Lake City was commenced by erect- 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 37 

ing a fort occupying ten acres of land. The Twelve Apostles then returned to 
Winter Quarters to help out their families. 

In the fall of 1847, about seven hundred wagons, laden with families, 
arrived in Salt Lake City. In the meantime the Mormon Battalion had been 
discharged at Los Angeles, on the Pacific coast, one year from the date of their 
enlistment, without means to enable them to return to their families and friends. 
They had marched from Council Bluffs to San Diego, a distance of two thousand 
and thirty miles. Much of the route was over an unexplored, forbidding desert. 
The sufferings of men and animals, from want of food and water, were most terrible. 

The arrival of this battalion on the Pacific coast was opportune to the govern- 
ment, as it was just in time to prevent the re-occupation of California by the 
Mexicans, or perhaps its passing into the possession of Great Britain; and 
the credit of accomplishing for the American arms a march of infanti)' without a 
parallel in history, and saving thereby an empire to their countrj', is justly due to 
the Mormon Battalion. 

When Salt Lake Valley was first colonized, it was Mexican soil. At the 
close of the war with Mexico, in 1848, it was ceded to the United States. Soon 
afterwards a provisional government was organized and a State constitution 
adopted by a convention, under the name of "The State of Deseret. " Under 
its provisions counties were organized, towns incorporated and bridges con- 



38 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

structed across some of the principal mountain streams. New locations were 
explored, settlements made, and energy and economy rapidly developed the 
latent resources of the desert. 

In Septemebr, 1850, Congress provided a Territorial government for Utah, 
and Brigham Young was appointed Governor of the Territory by President Mil- 
lard Fillmore. 

At the first session of the Territorial Legislature, held in 1851-2, in Salt 
Lake City, memorials to Congress were adopted, praying for the construction of 
a national central railroad and a telegraph line from the Missouri River, via Salt 
Lake City, to the Pacific coast. No response being made to the petition, the Legis- 
lature continued to memorialize Congress from time to time upon these subjects. 

Finally, in 1861, a telegraph line was constructed, connecting the Atlantic 
and Pacific coasts, and the great continental railroad became a reality in 1869. 

In 1855 the proper measures were adopted for the admission of Utah into 
the Union as a State, and the same process has been repeated at intervals up 
to the present time, but all in vain. The prejudice against the people of Utah 
on account of their peculiar religious views and practices has been so strong 
that their petitions have been ignored by Congress, although the population of 
the Territory has been large enough for more than twenty-five years to entitle it 
to a State government. 



THE CITY OF THE SAEVTS. 39 

In the beginning of 1857, Judge W. W. Drummond, a man more noted in 
his official capacity among the Saints for his bold licentiousness than for any 
good qualities, having returned to the States, raised a great excitement by 
representing that the people of Utah were in open rebellion against the govern- 
ment. Without proper consideration of the case, the national leaders deter- 
mined to send an army to Utah. In July, Alfred Gumming, of Georgia, was 
appointed to succeed Brigham Young as Governor. 

On the 24th of July, the 10th anniversary of the arrival of the Pioneers in 
Great Salt Lake Valley, news reached Salt Lake that General Harney, with a 
force of two thousand infantry, and a proportionate number of artillery and 
cavalry, had been ordered to Utah, and that the object was to suppress the 
Mormons. 

As the "Army of Utah" approached, about 1,500 of the Territorial militia 
were sent out to reconnoitre, and occupy the road in the gorges of the Wasatch 
range. Some successful raids were made on trains and cattle herds, without 
the shedding of blood, and the "Army of Utah" concluded to winter at Fort 
Bridger, 115 miles east of Salt Lake City. The object of Brigham Young was 
accomplished. The enthusiasm of the army would have time to cool in the 
frosts and snows of a mountain winter, and it was hoped that, in the meantime, 
the general government would discover the terrible error it was committing. 



40 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

The utmost harmony existed between the people and their leaders. This 
beginning of a great sacrifice was the spontaneous act of the people. No force 
was necessary but that of past experience to impel them to desolate their 
homes, and again hide up in the mountains and deserts. They were preparing 
for the worst — to leave behind them a wilderness, where their sacrifices and 
labors had created cities and villages and made fruitful fields. But God 
accepted the heart-sacrifice of this stricken people before the consummation of its 
stern possibilities. 

That old-time friend of the Saints, Col. Thomas L. Kane, penetrating Utah 
via Southern California, suddenly appeared on the stirring scene. At once, and 
without even an attendant, he entered the camp of the "Army of Utah." There, 
in a series of personal interviews, he so far persuaded Governor Gumming of the 
false position the general government had assumed, as to induce him to visit 
Salt Lake City. With a servant each they left the "Army of Utah," and arrived 
in Salt Lake City on the 10th of April, with an escort of Mormon militia whom 
they had accidentally met on the way. 

Governor Gumming reported at Washington his arrival, and also that he 
was everywhere treated with "respectful attention." He found no Mormons in 
rebellion against the government, and soon learned that the reports which had 
induced the government to send a military expedition to Utah were mere fabri- 



THE CITY OF THE FAINTS. 41 

cations. Soon afterwards President Buchanan did what should have been done 
before commencing military operations against Utah — sent commissioners to 
learn the condition of affairs. 

These commissioners and the leaders of the Saints arrived at a peaceable 
solution of pending difficulties, and the "Army of Utah" entered Salt Lake 
Valley and located Camp Floyd, some forty miles from Salt Lake City. This 
force remained at Camp Floyd until the autumn of 1861, when it returned to 
take part in the contest between the North and the South. Camp Floyd was 
broken up, and the large amount of military stores accumulated there were 
disposed of to the people at merely nominal prices. The army in one respect 
proved a great blessing to the Saints in supplying many of their necessities at 
a very low rate. 

In October, 1862, Col. P. E. Connor came into the Territory with a force 
of California volunteers, and located Camp Douglas, in a commanding position 
near Salt Lake City. 

From the first settlement, of the Territory, there was no evading the 
necessity of developing its agricultural resources. The amount of time, labor, 
and expense required to bring food of any kind into the Territory, compelled 
the people to produce from the elements the necessaries of life, or perish. The 
example and counsels of Brigham Young and his associate leaders of the Church, 



42 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

were a constant stimulus to the energies of the people to supply food and cloth- 
ing by their labors. This wise policy laid the foundation for permanent 
prosperity. 

When the time came for the development of the vast mineral resources of 
Utah, the miner found the means of subsistence easily available. Through his 
labors and the necessary outlay of capital in the development of mining enter- 
prises, agricultural and manufacturing industries are being stimulated, and these 
multiplying interests are being blended together with harmony and profit. 

In the building of the Continental Railway, connecting Omaha and San Fran- 
cisco, President Brigham Young was a heavy contractor. The labors of the 
Saints, and the food supplies they furnished, were very important factors in its 
construction. 

Not least among the difficulties of settling the valleys of Utah, when the 
Saints first came here, was that presented by the roving bands of Indians, who 
claimed the country by virtue of primary possession. The policy that "it is 
better to feed than to fight Indians," was adopted by the Saints when first they 
came in contact with them, and it has been followed up ever since, although they 
have suffered severely at times from Indian outrages. The Saints have spent 
thousands of dollars in thus feeding and trying to reclaim the Indians; they 




PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR 



rRESIDEXT WILFORI) WOODRUEF. 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 43 

have spent thousands more in carefully guarding their settlements against the 
incursions of hostile Indians when they might, if they had been so disposed, 
have followed them into their mountain retreats and exterminated them. 

The colonizing propensities of the Saints have kept pace with their growth. 
They are spreading out on the "backbone" of the continent, building cities, and 
turning deserts into fruitful fields and gardens. Brigham Young, who, during 
their chequered life of adversity and prosperity, served as the leader of the 
Saints for thirty-three years, died on the 29th of August, 1877. His great ex- 
ecutive abilities can never be questioned as long as the Nauvoo exodus, and the 
colonization of the American desert remain recorded facts in history. His life 
was evidently a successful one. The results of his life's labors designate him 
as one of the great men of the nineteenth century. 

After his death, in accordance with a precedent established after the death 
of the Prophet Joseph, and also in keeping with a primary law of succession, 
the Twelve Apostles became invested, de jure, with authority to lead the Church. 
With John Taylor at their head, they at once assumed the functions of the 
Presidency. They were sustained by a unanimous vote of the people, assembled 
in a general Conference. 

Three years later at the October conference, John Ta}'lor was unanimously 
sustained as President of the Church, with George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. 



44 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

Smith as his counselors. President Taylor died on the 25th of July, 1887, and 
was succeeded by Apostle Wilford Woodruff as President, who chose the same 
men, Messrs. Cannon and Smith, as his counselors. 

RELIGION OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS. 

The religion of the Latter-day Saints consists of doctrines, commandments, 
ordinances and rites revealed from God in the present age. They are not taken 
from the Bible, but nevertheless are in complete harmony therewith. The first 
principle of that religion is faith in God and in Jesus Christ; the next is repent- 
ance from all sins; then follows baptism for the remission of sins, as a prepar- 
ation for the gift of the Holy Ghost, bestowed by the laying on of hands by 
men having authority from heaven to administer in these sacred ordinances. 
Obedience to these principles is necessary to membership in the Church of Jesus 
Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Faith in God is the beginning of religion, because no one will attempt to 
approach the Deity or serve Him in any way without believing in Him. Con- 
nected with this is faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of 
mankind, because the Father is to be worshiped in the name of the Son, and 
through Him comes all blessings from the Father. All things created are of 
God by and through His well-beloved Son. This faith comes through the 



> 

in iflii 1 i^-^ 


.1 



FHI SIDI M (.H 




'RESIDEST JOSEl'U F. SMITH 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 45 

authorized preaching of the word of God — the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this is 
proclaimed the true character of Deity. That He is the Father of tlie human 
family. That men are m His image and likeness because they have sprung from 
Him. Therefore He is an individual, not a mere essence without form. God 
is a spirit, but so is a man. And as the spirit of man is an entity and clothed 
in an earthly body, so God is a person dwelling in a spiritual body. Jesus is 
in His express image and likeness, and the first born of all the sons of God in 
the spirit, while He is the Only Begotten in the liesh. These glorious and ex- 
alted Beings, with the Holy Ghost, which is a spirit diffused throughout the 
universe, form the eternal and Almighty God-head. 

Faith in God and in Jesus Christ truly aroused in the soul, repentance fol- 
lows as its first-fruits, because the conviction of sin springs from the perception 
of God's existence and authority, and man's unworthiness, and the desire and 
determination are brought forth to turn from evils and transgression to righteous- 
ness and obedience. Sorrow for sin is but the beginning of repentance; in its 
completeness there is a fixed resolve to do right and avoid wrong in future. 

Repentance does not of itself bring remission of sins, any more than ceasing 
to contract debts liquidates personal liabilities. Christ died that remission of sins 
might come to all men through their acceptance of His atonement and obedience 
to Its conditions. Baptism, or immersion in water by one authorized of God to 



46 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

administer it, is ordained to convey the remission of sins that comes through 
the shedding of Christ's blood. The repenting believer, having died to sin, is 
buried in the water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost, and brought forth again. Thus he is buried with Christ in- baptism and 
is born again of the water, coming forth unto newness of life. Being purified from 
sin he is prepared to receive the H0I3' Ghost, which dwelleth not in unclean 
tabernacles. This gift is conferred upon him by the imposition of liands. Men 
having authority from God to do so, lay their hands upon his head and confirm 
him a member of the Church of Christ, imparting to him the gift of the Holy 
Ghost. This is a witness to him of his acceptance with God, the remission of 
his sins and the truth of the religion he has obeyed. And this also is a testi- 
mony to him of the divine authority of those who taught this gospel and admin- 
istered its ordinances to him. 

All persons of every age and race and tongue who obey this form of doc- 
trine receive of the same Divine Spirit. This brings them to a unity of the faith 
and makes them, so far, of one heart and mind. It brings forth the fruits of 
love, joy, peace, patience, brotherly kindness and charity and confers spiritual 
gifts such as healings, miracles, tongues, the interpretation of tongues, discern- 
ment, visions, dreams, prophecy, revelation, etc. These confirm the faith of the 
members of the Church and give them pleasure and satisfaction. By continuing 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 47 

in holiness before the Lord the)' approach nearer and nearer to Him and con- 
tinually learn more of His ways, thus growing in grace and in the knowledge of 
the truth. 

Children who have not arrived at the years of accountability cannot receive 
baptism. Faith and repentance are essential forerunners of this ordinance. 
They cannot believe, and have nothing to repent of. They have no personal sins 
to be remitted, therefore baptism is not necessary in their case. But they are 
taken to the Elders and are blessed and named; and, when eight years old, 
having been instructed in the first principles of the gospel, they may exercise 
faith, be brought to repentance and then baptized in their youth and become 
members of the Church of Christ. Infant sprinkling is wrong and displeasing 
in the sight of God because entirely unauthorized by Him. 

Authority to administer in the name of the Deity must of necessity come 
from God. This involves revelation. There having been no communication 
with heaven for hundreds of years, since the ancient apostles fell asleep men 
having ceased to expect revelation, the world was without divine authority to 
administer gospel ordinances until Joseph Smith, being ordained under the hands 
of heavenly messengers was duly authorized to baptize for the remission of sins, 
confer the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands and administer all other ordi- 
nances belonging to the gospel. By John the Baptist, he was ordained to the 



48 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

lesser or Aaronic Priesthood, and by Peter, James and John, to the higher or 
Melchisedek Priesthood, receiving the hoi}' Apostleship and the keys of the 
kingdom with power to seal on earth so that it might be sealed in heaven. 
The following epitome of doctrine was arranged by him and is a sufficient 
declaration of the chief tenets of the religion of the Latter-day Saints: 

ARTICLES or FAITH OK THR CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. 

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, 
and in the Holy Ghost. 

2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins,, and not for 
Adam's transgression. 

3. We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may he 
saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. 

4. We believe that these ordinances are: First, Faith in the Lord Jesus 
Christ; second. Repentance; third. Baptism b}' immersion for the remission of 
sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by "prophecy, and by the 
laying on of hands," by those who are in authority, to preach the gospel and 
administer in the ordinances thereof. 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 49 

6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive 
church, viz: apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc. 

7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, 
interpretation of tongues, etc. 

8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated 
correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. 

9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and 
we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to 
the Kingdom of God. 

10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of 
the Ten Tribes. That Zion will be built upon this continent. That Christ 
will reign personally upon the earth, and that the earth will be renewed and re. 
ceive its paradisical glory. 

11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the 
dictates of our conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them wor- 
ship how, where or what they may. 

12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, 
in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law. 

13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in 
doing good to all men; indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of 



50 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

Paul, "We believe all things, we hope all things," we have endured many 
things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, 
lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. — Joseph Smith. 

RESURRECTION AND ETERNAL JUnGMENT. 

Among the leading principles of the Latter-day Saints' faith are the resur- 
rection of the dead and eternal judgment. The revelations of God to the Church 
unfold not only the doctrine of life after death — the life of the spirit when the 
body is dead, but of the future resuscitation of the body without which the in- 
dividual would be imperfect. Death came into this world through transgression. 
The law of God is the law of life. Sin is the transgression of the law. The 
wages of sin is death. Christ's blood was shed for the remission of sin. He 
is "the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world." As in Adam all 
die, so in Christ shall all be made alive. Death is universal, so will be the 
resurrection. The remedy is as great as the disease;, the redemption is as broad 
as the fall. 

Jesus holds the keys of the resurrection. Immediately after His own resur- 
rection others were raised from the dead and appeared to the disciples in 
Jerusalem. When Jesus comes in the clouds of heaven to reign as King of kings 
and Lord of lords. He will call forth from the tomb the sleeping dust of His 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 51 

Saints; their spirits and bodies will be re-united and being quickened by the 
eternal Spirit and not by corruptible blood they will be immortal and incorrup- 
tible. Their bodies will be tangible though spiritual. The dead in Christ will 
rise first. They who have been planted in the likeness of His death, being 
buried unto Him in baptism, will be in the likeness of His resurrection and have 
glorified bodies which will be celestial. 

After the great millennial daj' — a thousand of our years — has passed, the 
rest of the dead, every one in his order, will be brought forth and be judged 
according to his works. The just who knew not the gospel of Christ in the 
flesh will precede in the resurrection those who were unjust. But all the race, 
in their bodies, will appear before the judgment seat and render account for 
every earthly act not remitted through the ordinances of the gospel. Eternal 
justice mingled with mere)' wdl govern the judgment. Some will eventually 
inherit the terrestrial glory, and others the telestial glory. There is one glory 
of the sun, which is celestial; there is another glory of the moon, which is 
terrestrial; there is another glory of the stars, which is telestial, and as one star 
differs from another star in glory, so will it be in the resurrection and redemp- 
tion. Last of all are the sons of perdition who inherit no glory, but, having 
sinned against light and knowledge, perverted the power bestowed upon them to 
reach the celestial, turned from light wilfully into darkness, and committed the 



52 THE CITY OF THE SA/IVTS. 

unpardonable sin, the)' will go away into outer darkness with the devil and his 
angels and suffer the second death. 

Justice and judgment will thus be dealt out to all by Him who is eternal. 
Christ's work of redemption will be perfected. Everything saveable will be 
saved. Nothing that the Father hath given Him will be lost. But there 
are many mansions in the heavenly kingdom, and each redeemed soul will 
dwell in that condition for which it has been fitted by probation and experience. 
The righteous of every age, the Saints of former and of latter days, will dwell 
in the presence of the Father and the Son and be like them in glory and power 
and majesty and dominion, having the keys to all the heights and depths of 
things both temporal and spiritual. And all others of all nations and periods 
will find their level and place in the eternal kingdom — though not in the im- 
mediate society of the exalted ones — where they can enjoy an existence, bow the 
knee to the King of kings and serve Him who is over all, the light and the life, the 
jo}' and the glor^' of all things for ever and ever. 



The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is financially sustained by 
tithes and offerings. Tithing is enjoined upon all its members by divine com- 
mandment. Yet it is a free-will offering. The law of tithing in its fullness 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 53 

requires the surplus property of members coming to Zion to be paid into the 
Church as a consecration, and after that, one-tenth of their interest, or increase, 
or earnings annually. This is to be holy unto the Lord, to be used for the 
benefit of the poor, the widows and the fatherless, the building of temples and 
other sacred edifices, the support of those engaged in Church business and 
for general Church purposes. There are no salaried preachers in the Church. 
Every man holding the priesthood is expected to be ready to act in his office at 
home or abroad without pa}'. But men who are engaged in business pertaining 
to the Church which, by taking up all or most of their time, prevents them from 
engaging in business for their own support, are sustained from the tithing fund 
as determined by the proper authorities. 

The payment of tithing is a duty enjoined as much upon the leaders of the 
Church as upon its members. No one in the Church is exempt from it; yet it 
is not compulsory but is a privilege, and every one is placed upon his honor, 
for it is a matter between himself and his God. It is paid to the Bishop who 
must render a strict and detailed account of his receipts and disbursements, and 
the whole financial system, in the hands of the Bishopric, is supervised and 
directed by the trustee-in-trust, an auditing committee investigating and 
reporting the accounts periodically to the Church in conference assembled. 

The payment of tithing is an acknowledgment of the proprietary rights of 



54 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

Deity as the Lord of the manor. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness there- 
of. He requires the tenth of the increase to be used under His authorit)- for His 
Church and Kingdom. 

Offerings are received by the free gift of the donors for the building of temples, 
the gathering of the poor from all parts of the earth, the erection of houses of 
worship and other worthy objects. The first Thursday of each month is set apart 
as a fast-day when meetings are held in the several wards or branches of the 
Church and offerings are. received for the benefit of the poor that no one may lack 
for the necessaries of life. The support of the indigent is one of the special obli- 
gations of the Church. 

CONTINUED REVELATION BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD. 

One of the chief characteristics of the religion of the Latter-day Saints, dis- 
tinguishing it from all others in Christendom, is its doctrine of continued divine 
revelation. They claim that God has spoken from heaven to Joseph Smith, that 
angels have descended from heaven to earth in the nineteenth century, and that 
revelation and inspiration are yet enjoyed and will be continued. All the doctrines 
briefly enunciated above have been received in this manner, and since their revela- 
tion, others have been communicated from the same source. Thus the religion of 
the Latter-day Saints is progressive. It cannot be defined in a written creed. It 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 55 

is added to by the revelations of God as the capacities of the Saints enlarge and 
the needs of the Church increase. Divine direction is also given according to the 
varying circumstances of the people of God individually and as an organization. 
Every member of the Church is entitled to the blessings of divine communion and 
revelation for his or her own comfort and guidance. Revelations for the whole 
Cfuirch are only given through its President, who is its earthly head and holds the 
keys of the kingdom and of the oracles of God for the government and enlighten- 
ment of the body. 

Among the later revelations to the Church are the doctrines of baptism for the 
dead, and celestial marriage. Many millions of people have died without being 
born of the water and of the Spirit. "Except a man be born of water and of the 
Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God." Many millions more have 
passed away without ever hearing the name of Jesus Christ. "There is none other 
name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. " Either these 
must all be lost or there must be some further plan of redemption than that known 
to Christian orthodoxy. This has been revealed in the doctrine of baptism for the 
dead connected with the preaching of the gospel to departed spirits. 

When Christ's body was lying in the toinb after His crucifixion. He, in the 
spirit, was preaching the gospel to the spirits in prison who had been disobedient 
in the days of Noah. So in like manner the gospel is to be preached to all who 



56 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

have not heard it while in the body, "that they may be judged according to men 
in the flesh and live according to God in the spirit." Baptism being an essential 
part of the gospel, and the earthly element of water being essential to its adminis- 
tration, believing and repentant spirits cannot obtain its benefits by personal 
attendance to that rite. Their living friends are therefore permitted to take their 
names and be baptized in their stead, the ceremony being duly witnessed and 
recorded on earth and accepted and ratified m heaven. This ordinance must be 
administered in a place properly prepared, in a temple built according to a divine 
pattern. Other ordinances necessary for the perfection of the sons and daughters 
of God, the uniting of the hearts of the fathers to the children and of the children 
to the fathers, may also be administered by proxy, the living in behalf of the dead. 

CELESTIAL MARRLAGE. 

Marriage is regarded by the Latter-day Saints as a divine institution. It is 
not a mere civil contract, but a sacrament. The first marriage on record was 
solemnized by the Deity in person. It involves not only the free choice of the 
partners in the union, but the seal and consent of the Almighty, and if this is not 
secured, the marriage is not acknowledged in heaven. 

Celestial marriage is entered into by those who have obeyed .the gospel and 
become the sons and daughters of God by adoption. The ceremony is performed 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 57 

by the man who holds the kej's of this power, or one deputed by him, he having 
received them through the revelations of God and the holy anointing and ordina- 
tion. The parties are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise through this medium. 
The woman is given to the man and they bec&me one flesh. That which is thus 
sealed on earth is sealed in heaven, and is as valid as though performed in per- 
son by the Deity. It cannot be dissolved by human agency nor sundered b\' the 
shafts of death. The parties may be separated by distance or the decease of 
either, but the matrimonial union remains while eternal ages roll. And the family 
structure reared upon this enduring basis will survive the changes of time and the 
processes of nature, and the resurrection from the dead will establish it to endure 
and increase forever. The children born in this everlasting covenant of marriage 
are legitimate heirs to its blessings, and to the Priesthood, with its powers and 
gifts which reach within the veil, and they form the beginning of a kingdom and a 
dominion for the parents which will be continually enlarged in numbers and glory 
and majesty and splendor, while the cycles of duration succeed each other in 
never-ending procession. 

If a wife thus sealed to her husband should precede him in that death which 
awaits all humanity, it would be his privilege to wed another. The second wife, 
or third, if the-second should die, would be sealed to him in the same manner as 
the first. They would all be his equally. In the resurrection he would have three 



58 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

wives, with their children, belonging to him in the everlasting covenant. Thus he 
would have plural family relations in the kingdom of heaven, and be suitable com- 
pany for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and other ancient worthies, who obtained the 
favor of God and held communion "with Him while in the Ifesh and whose names 
have been celebrated in sacred scripture. If the husband should die leaving the 
wife on earth it would be her privilege, if she felt so disposed, to be married under 
the divine authority to another man for time only, so that in the resurrection she 
might take her place by the side of her celestial spouse to whom she was sealed 
forever. If any offspring should result from the temporary union, they would go 
with the woman and be numbered in the fam.ily of her eternal partner. 

If a man raised from the dead with a glorified body in the likeness of the 
Redeemer may have more than one wife through successive marriages in this 
world, there can be nothing unholy in that extended family connection. If it is 
right in that holy estate why not in this? The revelation on celestial marriage 
declares that if given to him in the everlasting covenant in the way appointed of 
God, he is not under condemnation but is justified in receiving more wives than 
one. They are sealed to him and become his, and he cannot commit adultery with 
them because they are his and his alone, given to him by the Almighty that a 
righteous seed may be raised up who will have faith in and serve God. Each wife 
thus sealed to him becomes part of him, one as much as another. None of them 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 59 

are concubines, or mistresses, or mere ministers of lust. Matrimony is a holy 
estate, and being an eternal contract it has obligations which are pure and sacred 
and should be inviolable. 

The primary objects of marriage are companionship and jirocreation. Animal 
gratification is not its high purpose. Plural marriage properly entered into, or 
celestial marriage in its complete form, is a check to license, and promotes control 
instead of indulgence, placing the true objects of wedlock in distinct pre-eminence. 
Every virtuous woman should have the opportunity to be married, and that to a 
good man whom she would prefer above all others. This in many instances would 
involve plural marriage, and if encouraged would prevent brutal and corrupt men 
from obtaining control of the bodies of sensitive and chaste women, and render 
less frequent ill-assorted and misery-breeding unions. 

Celestial marriage in its fullness is ordained of God. It is an establishment of 
religion. Its revelation, celebration, spirit and practice are eminently religious. 
It is ecclesiastical in its nature and government. It is therefore considered by the 
Latter-day Saints outside the domain of constitutional law. Being within the pale 
of the Church, they believed its free exercise could not of right be prohibited. 
The Supreme Court of the United States has declared the laws enacted by Con- 
gress prohibiting the practice of plural marriage constitutional. The Latter-day 
Saints, as their Articles of Faith delare, believe in "obeying, honoring and sustain- 



60 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

ing the law," and since the ruling of the Supreme Court have ceased to practice 
that particular tenet of their faith which has been thus proscribed. On Septem- 
ber 24, 1890, President Woodruff who stands at the head of the Church, issued a 
manifesto to the effect that the practice of plural marriage would be suspended. 
At the Conference of the Church which convened at Salt Lake City, the following 
October, the action of the President was sustained by a unanimous vote of the 
Saints assembled on that occasion. 

Celestial marriage as believed in by the Latter-day Saints, lays firm and secure 
the foundations of the family and the home. It promotes union, impartiality, 
unselfishness, patience, forbearance, self-restraint and all the Christian virtues. 
It opens the way for all women who wish to marry to fill the measure of their 
creation. 

SYSTEM OF PROSELVTING. 

The system of making converts to their faith is not the least peculiar feature of 
the religious life of the Latter-day Saints. The stranger is usually surprised beyond 
measure to learn the vast extent of missionary labor which has been performed 
since the sixth day of April. 1830, by this people; and is also filled with wonder 
to discover that this vast work has been and is being accomplished without excite- 
ment and without the aid of those ponderous special proselyting associations so 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. CI 

popular and apparenth' so requisite among other denominations of Christians. The 
very nature of the faith of the Mormons is such as to require early and unceasing 
efforts towards the conversion of their fellow men to a belief in the divinity of 
Joseph Smith's mission upon the earth. The first and most important reason for 
their strong devotion to this particular feature of their religion is this: they deem 
it a sacred duty — having been commanded by God — that they should convey the 
message of salvation to "all nations, kindreds, tongues and people." In pursuit of 
this object the Church early sent its proselyting ministers through the various 
regions of our own country and then into foreign lands. The system originally 
adopted is still adhered to, with only the necessary changes to meet the advance- 
ment in means of travel and methods of communication. 

Every year a number of the faithful Elders of the Church are selected by the 
authorities to visit the various inhabited regions of the globe, as messengers of 
God's mercy to mankind. There are no absolute requirements as to age, social 
condition or scholastic acquirements. Many of them are so young as to excite 
feelings of ridicule in the minds of the learned clergy of the worlcl; some of them 
are aged, having grown while the Church has been rising from comparative insigni- 
ficance into a prominence which is marvelous; some are rich and some are poor in 
this world's goods; some are highly educated and some have never had opportuni- 
ties for general study; some are farmers and artisans, and some are merchants and 



62 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

professional men. But as a rule all are, or at least soon become, well versed in the 
Biblical lore. They are men of integrity and personal purity. And they are 
deeply imbued with a faith in the holiness of their cause. Traveling without 
purse or scrip, and relying upon their Maker.whose behests they are obeying, they 
cheerfully leave family and friends and go forth dauntlessly to their work. Some- 
times their mission is to the state or country of their birth, and at other times it is 
to strange and far-off lands, with whose people and language and customs they are 
totally unacquainted. 

In their work of propagandism the Elders of the Church have visited nearly all 
the civilized, and some few semi-civilized peoples upon the globe. Proclamation of 
the tidings, followed by thousands of conversions, has been made in every State and 
Territory of the Union. The British possessions on this continent have been 
visited, as have also been Mexico, the Antilles, and Brazil, Peru and other regions 
of South America. The labor has been prosecuted in England, Scotland, Wales, 
Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Ice- 
land, Finland, South Africa, India, the East Indies, China, Australia, New 
Zealand, the Society, Friendly, and the Hawaiian Islands. Nor has the work 
ceased. Missionaries are still preaching in most of the lands mentioned, and 
their success, especially in the United States and other countries, where they gain 
the attention of the thinking people, is certainly suffering no diminution. 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 63 

Among the principles expounded to the converts is the law of gathering; and 
from the time that a believer takes upon himself the name of Latter-day Saint, his 
strong wish is to nnite with the people in Utah. The worldly circumstances of a 
portion of the converts are very favorable; and when these well-to-do classes emi- 
grate to Zion they frequently bring with them companies of their poorer brethren 
and sisters. By these means, and aid received from the Church fund, hundreds 
and thousands have been brought from the comparative serfdom of other lands, to 
join with their fellow-believers in a region of plenty and libert}-. 

TF.MPLE BUILDING. 

A characteristic "work" oi the Latter-day Saints is temple building. As early as 
1830, the year in which the Church was organized, in revelation, God spoke of 
temples. vVnd His instructions and commands have continued until the present 
day. In a revelation given to Joseph Smith, January U), 1840, at Nauvoo, Illinois, 
the Lord says: 

"Therefore, verily I say unto you, that your anointings and your washings, and 
3'our baptisms for the dead, and your solemn assemblies, and your memorials for 
your sacrifices, by the sons of Levi, and for your oracles in your most holy places, 
wherein you receive conversations, and your statutes and judgments, for the begin- 
ning of the revelations and foundation of Zion, and for the glory, honor, and 



64 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

endowment of all her municipals, are ordained by the ordinance of my holy house 
which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name." 

In consonance with express command from the Almighty, the people who repre- 
sent His cause in this "last dispensation" have given great attention to this sub- 
ject. The first site chosen for a temple was at Independence, Missouri, August 
3rd, 1831. Next was the temple at Kirtland, Ohio, the corner stone of which was 
laid July 23rd, 1833. Then came the site at Far West, Missouri, located July 4th, 
1838; and then the temple at Nauvoo, commenced on the eleventh anniversary of 
the organization of the Church, April 6th, 1841. Of the four mentioned, but two 
temples were completed — that at Kirtland and the one at Nauvoo. In both of 
these, however, ordinances were administered before the Saints were driven to 
some other region. 

There are up to this date four temples in Utah- -at Salt Lake. St. George, 
Manti and Logan. The building at Salt Lake is the largest and costliest of the 
number. 

THE PRIESTHOOD. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes in a divinely inspired 
Priesthood. It claims to possess such a Priesthood, and by its authority to 
administer all the ordinances of the gospel as required by the Lord Jesus Christ. 



THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 65 

It believes that the Priesthood which Jesus bestowed upon His apostles, and 
through which they became His ambassadors, was, by the transgressions of man, 
and the killing of the holy men who bore it, taken back from the earth to heaven, 
and that for long ages the inhabitants of the earth had been destitute of the legiti- 
mate authority to officiate in God's stead. Hence, the reason for the division and 
contentions which exist in Christendom and the absence of those spiritual gifts and 
miraculous powers that were features of primitive Christianity. Before Joseph 
Smith attempted to baptize anyone into the Church he and Oliver Cowdery, his 
companion, claimed to have received the visitation of a holy angel, being no less 
a personage than John the Baptist himself, who was beheaded by the order of 
Herod. He, being a literal descendant of Aaron, holding the keys of the Aaronic 
Priesthood, had a right to officiate in the ordinances which belonged to that 
Priesthood. One of these was that of baptism for the remission of sins. His 
action was recognized by heaven as legitimate and proper, the Son of God Him- 
self even submitting to be baptized in water by him. But John did not have the 
right to administer in higher ordinances, such, for instance, as that which is 
necessary for the bestowal of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Hence he said: 

"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after 
me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you 
with the Holy Ghost and with fire." 



66 THE CITY OF THE SAINTS. 

This power belonged to the higher or Melchisedek Priesthood, which was held 
by Jesus. He bestowed it upon His apostles, who by this authority laid their 
hands upon the people who had been baptized, and they received the Holy Ghost. 
After Joseph Smith had received the authority from John the Baptist to baptize, 
he testified that he was ordained to the apostleship by the three apostles who 
were the companions of Jesus in His ministry in the flesh — Peter, James and John 
— and by virtue of that ordination he was authorized to lay his hands upon the 
heads of those who repented of their sins and were baptized for a remission of 
them, for the reception of the Holy Ghost. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, therefore, claims to have the 
full authority that the Church established by the Savior when He was on the 
earth possessed to administer in all the ordinances pertaining to life and salvation. 
Joseph Smith ordained other men to the Priesthood, and they went forth preach- 
ing the word of God and administering the ordinances of the gospel unto all those 
who were willing to receive them. It is by this Priesthood, and by it alone, as 
this Church claims, all the mighty works performed by the ancient prophets and 
apostles from the earliest days have been accomplished. 



PARTIAL LIST OF MORMON PUBLICATIONS. 

[For Complete Catalogue write to (ieo. Q. Cannon & Sons Co., Salt Lake City, Utah.] 

Book ok Mormon, a record of the ancient inhabitants of America, clotli, .. SI. 00 
Doci-RINE AND CovENANrs, Containing the revelations given to Josepli Smith 

for the guidance of the church, cloth, 1.00 

Laitek-dav Saints Hymn Book, cloth, 35 

Voice of Warning, an introduction to the faith and doctrines of the Latter- 
day Saints, cloth, 25 

Orson Pratt's Works, a series of pamphlets on the doctrines of the gospel, 

a book of 314 pages, 75 

The Life of Joseph Smith, cloth 3.00 

Thf, Life of Brigham Young, paper 25 

A Brief History of the Church, paper 25 

Hand-Book of Reference to the history, chronology, religion and country 

of the Latter-day Saints, 50 

Mormon Doctrine, a plain and simple explanation of the principles of the 
gospel, in twelve tersely-written chapters, with appendix giving scriptural 
references, by Charles W. Penrose, 25 



LIST OF MORMON PUBLICATIONS. {Continued.-) 

HisiORY OF THE Mormons and Manikesto in Reuarh to Polygamy, 05 

Mr. Durant of Sali- Lake City. "That Mormon," hy Ben E. Rich, 1.25 

Why We Practice Pi.ukai. Marria(;e, b)- a Mormon wife and mother — Helen 

Mar Whitney, paper cover, 25 

Morgan's Tracts, Nos. 1 and 2, on the doctrines of the gospel, 03 

The Modern Prophet, evidences of the divine mission of Joseph Smith, 03 

Spencer's LErTERS, exhibiting the most prominent doctrines of the Latter- 
day Saints, cloth, LOO 

Does the Bible Sanction Polyga.my? a discussion between Elder Orson Pratt 
and Dr. J. P. Newman, to which is added three discourses on celestial 
marriage by Elders Orson Pratt, George A. Smith and Geo. Q. Cannon, .25 
Wonderlands of the Wild West, Description of Life among the Mormons, 

by ex-U. S. Commissioner to Utah, Hon. A. B. Carlton, cloth, 2.00 

GEO. Q. CANNON & SONS CO., A. H. CANNON, Opera House Block. 

P. O. Box 460, Salt Lake City. Ogden, Utah. 



